Use of medication for insomnia or anxiety increases mortality risk by 36 percent
2010-09-09
(Press-News.org) Quebec City, September 9, 2010—Taking medications to treat insomnia and anxiety increases mortality risk by 36%, according to a study conducted by Geneviève Belleville, a professor at Université Laval's School of Psychology. The details of this study are published in the latest edition of the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.
Dr. Belleville arrived at these results through analysis of 12 years of data on over 14,000 Canadians in Statistics Canada's National Population Health Survey. The data includes information on the social demographics, lifestyle, and health of Canadians age 18 to 102, surveyed every two years between 1994 and 2007.
During this period, respondents who reported having used medication to treat insomnia or anxiety at least once in the month preceding the survey had a mortality rate of 15.7%. Respondents who reported not having used such medications had a rate of 10.5%. After controlling for personal factors that might affect mortality risk, notably alcohol and tobacco consumption, physical health, physical activity level, and the presence or absence of depressive symptoms among participants, Dr. Belleville established that the consumption of sleeping pills or anxiety-relieving medications was associated with a 36% increase in the risk of death.
A number of hypotheses have been put forward to explain the link between use of these medications and increased mortality. Sleeping pills and anxiolytics affect reaction time, alertness, and coordination and are thus conducive to falls and other accidents. They may also have an inhibiting effect on the respiratory system, which could aggravate certain breathing problems during sleep. These medications are also central nervous system inhibitors that may affect judgment and thus increase the risk of suicide.
"These medications aren't candy, and taking them is far from harmless," commented Dr. Belleville. "Given that cognitive behavioral therapies have shown good results in treating insomnia and anxiety, doctors should systematically discuss such therapies with their patients as an option. Combining a pharmacological approach in the short term with psychological treatment is a promising strategy for reducing anxiety and promoting sleep."
###
Information:
Geneviève Belleville
School of Psychology
Université Laval
(418) 656-2131 ext. 4226
genevieve.belleville@psy.ulaval.ca
Source:
Jean-François Huppé
Media Relations
Université Laval
(418) 656-7785
jean-francois.huppe@dc.ulaval.ca
END
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
2010-09-09
WASHINGTON, DC: Synthetic biology—defined as the design and construction of new biological parts, devices, and systems or re-design of existing natural biological systems for useful purposes—holds enormous potential to improve everything from energy production to medicine, with the global market projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2015. But what does the public know about this emerging field, and what are their hopes and concerns? A new poll of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted by Hart Research Associates and the Synthetic Biology Project at the Woodrow Wilson Center finds that ...
2010-09-09
Xlibris Publishing's best selling author, Doris Washington, will have seven book signing activities before the month of September ends. Earlier this month, Doris Washington was seen signing copies of her book at Borders in 3515 Gettysburg Road Camp Hill, Pennsylvannia last Saturday, September 4. This Saturday, September 11, Xlibris Publishing author Doris Washington will have another book signing event at Borders 4420 Mitchellville Road Bowie, Maryland from 1:00pm- 5:00pm.
The rest of this self published author's book signing activities for the rest of September will ...
2010-09-09
Social Media Michigan, a Social Media Marketing Training firm based in Livonia, Michigan will be hosting a special live training on August 16th 2010 at the Eastern Michigan University in Livonia to help individuals learn how to measure ROI on Social Media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. Social Media Michigan is hosting "Measuring Social Media Success", taught by a guest host, and long time Internet strategy consultant, Sarah Worsham.
"Most of the attention to date on Social Media has been about developing a message or persona to get people ...
2010-09-09
64clicks, a Virginia-based digital marketing firm today announced the release of its Omnipresent Marketing Framework (OPM), a collection of blueprints and best practices designed to maximize the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.
"The framework was a natural response to the dramatic shifts taking place in the field of branding and marketing today. We analyzed multiple trends and compiled data from diverse industry studies. The numbers were clear - customers were looking for a balanced and holistic approach to marketing. In addition, there was a need for a repeatable ...
2010-09-09
Trafford Publishing, one of the leading independent book publishing companies today, provides authors the chance to increase their book's exposure through their September marketing services savings. With three high-profile media marketing opportunities, self published authors can customize their book marketing services for promotional clout.
Miami Book Fair Gallery - This Trafford book marketing service allows authors to showcase their books in front of publishers, authors and book lovers at The Miami Book Fair Gallery on November 19-21. This is one of the year's most ...
2010-09-09
September 9, 2010-Atlantic Coast UFO's, the creator of "The Kate Valentine UFO Show", which airs Fridays at 1PM on WVNJ am 1160, has launched it's second show "Viewpoints", which airs from midnight to 1am on WYNM am 970 "The Apple". Kate Valentine is at the helm on both UFO Talk Radio Shows, which can also be heard streaming live or by podcast at : http://www.atlanticcoastufos.com .
Kate Valentine intensifies her "Journey For Answers" with the addition of Viewpoints. "We are taking the quest to finding answers and understanding the UFO phenomena to the next level," stated ...
2010-09-09
Wrinkles are a huge problem facing an aging population today. Unfortunately, too much sun and not enough nourishment to the skin over the years can cause it to get a prematurely aged and wrinkled appearance.
As the skin becomes dehydrated, sun damaged and less elastic, excessive contraction of facial muscles may cause visible, deep wrinkles between the eyebrows to form.
There is a real new alternative to the surgical treatments that correct the deepest facial wrinkles- Skeyndor Corrective. Following intense research into surgical cosmetics (which took years and numerous ...
2010-09-09
D & R Energy Services, Inc. is helping all commercial/industrial businesses to see a better return in a tough Michigan economy.
With the poor economy we have here in Michigan it is getting harder and harder to keep costs under control. Deanna Craig, Chief Financial Officer of D & R Energy says, "Manufacturing costs have to rise because other costs rise too and then if sales suffer, where do you turn to save money? The normal was to cut back where you could and sometimes re-diversify the company. How about another option and help stimulate the Michigan economy and your ...
2010-09-09
There's a lot to be said for helping the population of Canada's smallest province lose more than 65,000 pounds in only five years. Having facilitated so much weight loss, Rachelle Wood is practically a household name in Prince Edward Island. Now with her online weight loss program, SeeResults, this Registered Holistic Nutritionist is gaining much momentum across the rest of Canada. In fact, Wood has received three nominations for the first annual Best of Canada Awards for Natural Health practitioners.
"I've been nominated for awards before, but these nominations mean ...
2010-09-09
Today Out-U-Go! , pet care, opens its seventh location, the second in the Boulder-Denver area. Out-U-Go! was founded in 1996 and its growth is characterized by the fun entrepreneurial spirit they describe as "Awesome Pet Care". Recognized for its dedication to high-end professional care for both its pet and human clients, Out-U-Go! Boulder will provide local pet parents with peace of mind when they are on vacation, at work or simply on-the-go.
"I have enjoyed working with Out-U-Go!'s founder for over a decade. When we say we provide awesome pet care we mean it." said ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
[Press-News.org] Use of medication for insomnia or anxiety increases mortality risk by 36 percent
